Conveyer



March 27, 1951 v, RAYBURN ET AL 2,546,374

CONVEYER Original Filed Dec. 21, 1945 '7 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS M A. RA YBURN 0. C. ROBSON A TTORNEV March 27, 1951 v. A. RAYBURN ET AL 2,545,374

CONVEYER Original Filed Dec. 21, 1945 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 I H 76 1 n f i l TV l 77 i 1 77 I I I l L. :3 I III I i as l M v i 1 14A. RAVBURN 0. C. ROBSON A TTORNEV Mamh 2 7, 1951 Original Filed Dec. 21, 1945 V. A. RAYBURN ETAL CONVEYER 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VE N TORS- 1/. A. RA ram/v 0. c. ROBSO/V A TTORNEY March 27, 1951 v. A. RAYBLYJRN ETAL 295469374;

CONVEYER Original Filed Dec. 23., 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 I55 159 [do 155 /50 By W A TORNEY March 27, 1951 v. A. RAYBURN ET AL 2,546,374

CONVEYER Original Filed Dec. 21, 1945 I v 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 27, 1951 B RN T AL 2,546,374

CONVEYER Original Filed Dec. 21, 1945 7 Sheets-$heet 6 INVENTORS M A. RAYBURN 0. G. ROBSON ATTORNEY March 27, 1951 v. A. RAYBURN ETAL CONVEYER '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Original Filed Dec. 21, 1945 wwm lNl/ENTORS V. A. RA VBUAN 0. C. ROBSON ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONVEYER ration of New York Original application December 21, 1945, Serial No. 636,404. Divided and this application J anuary 8, 1948, Serial No. 1,156

l 7 Claims.

This invention relates to conveyers, and more particularly to conveyers for transporting reels.

This application is a division of oopending application Serial No. 636,404, filed December 21,1945, for Conveyer Unloader. In the operation of machines for making articles from wire, large numbers of reels of wires must be transported to the machines. For the greatest ease in the operation of such machines, reserve supplies of the reels of wire must be positioned at an easily accessible location relative to the machines. However, heavy reels are difficult to move and require large amounts of labor to transport them to positions conveniently located with respect to the machines.

An object of the invention is to provide new and improved conveyers.

A conveyer illustrating certain features of the invention may include a plurality of hooks, means for advancing the hooks along a predetermined path, means for orienting the hooks, and means for loading articles on the hooks. The means for loading articles on the hooks includes an elevator for raising the articles successively in the path of the hooks, and a control system for controlling the operation of the elevator.

A complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from the following detailed description of a conveyer forming a specific embodiment thereof, when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a conveyer forming one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section taken along line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical :section taken along line 33 of Fig. 2;

section taken along line 99 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section similar to Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section taken along line lI-II of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section similar to Fig. 11 showing some of the parts in different positions;

Fig. 3 is a schematic view similar to Fig. 2; Fig. 14 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section showing a portion of a conveyer forming Jae al e n e e be m n 1 t nv n i nd Fig. 15 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section somewhat similar to Fig. 11 showing a portion of the conveyer shown in Fig. 14.

Referring now in detail to the drawings there is shown therein a conveyer, which includes a loader H and tracks |2l2 serving to guide an endless roller chain 15. The chain I5 is advanced between the tracks l2-l2 by a sprocket I6 past the loader II and unloaders 20, 2| and 22 to serve machines 25, 26 and 21 positioned adjacent to the unloaders 20, 2| and 22, respectively.

Each of a plurality of hook assemblies 28-28 (Figs. 1 and 2) includes a hook 36 secured to a sleeve 3| supported by a shaft 32 having a twolcbe cylindrical cam 36 secured to the end thereof. The shaft 32 is connected pivotally to the chain [5 by a pin 33, and is supported by support rolls 35-35 (Fig. 3) resting on the tracks i2-l2. A pair of trip rolls 45 is carried by the chain at a point a predetermined distance in advance of the hook assembly and precedes the hook as the chain [5 carries the hook beneath the tracks I2--l2. When one of the hook assemblies 2828 is advanced toward the loader II, the trip rolls t545 engage L-shaped cams 46-46 (Figs. 2 and 4) rigidly connected to a shaft 41, which is pivotally mounted in bearings 50-50 formed on mounting plates 5l-5l, and move the L-shaped cams from their full-line positions, as shown in Fig. 2, to their broken-line positions. When the cams 4646 are moved from their full-line positions to theirbroken-line positions, the shaft 41 is rotated in the bearings 50-50 and actuates a four-way valve 52. A pipe (Fig. 3) serves to connect the four-Way valve 52 to a normally open valve 56, which is connected to a pipe 51 leading to a supply of compressed air (not shown).

When the four-way valve 52 (Fig. 2) is actuated, as described hereinabove, it serves to connect the pipe 55 (Fig. 3) to a pipe (Fig. 2), whereby the lower portion of a cylinder Bl of a hoist 62 is supplied with compressed air, and a piston 63 then is forced upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 2. A pipe 65 connected to the upper portion 'of the cylinder 6| and to the valve 52 serves to exhaust the air from the upper portion of the "cylinder. When the piston is moved upwardly, a reel 61 positioned on a carriage 66 between a stop 68, and a stop-bumper 69 is lifted into the path of the hook 30. The hook assembly 28 continues to advance to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2, and the hook enters a core hole 10 formed in the reel 61.

Projections IL-ll of the cams 4646 (Figs. 2 and 4.) are moved against stop pins 13-13 when the L-shaped cams 46-46 are moved from their full-line positions to their broken-line positions shown in Fig. 2, and move cams of which an L-shaped cam I is shown to their brokenline positions, as shown in Fig. 2, and the ends thereof project into the paths of trip rolls 45. The L-shaped cams 'I5'I5 are connected to the projections II-II (Fig. 2) by connecting links of which connecting link I2 is shown. The cams l5-'I5 are rigidly secured to a shaft 59 rotatably mounted On a bracket I4.

When the linkage system just described is moved to its broken-line position, an overcenter counterweight I9 fastened to the shaft 59 is moved to its broken-line position and holds linkagesystem in its broken-line position. The stop pins 'I3'I3 limit the movement of the linkage system of which the cams 46-46 and 'I5'I5 and the counterweight I9 are a part. Thus, after the cams l5'l5 are moved to their broken-line positions and the hook 38 has entered the core hole I8 in the reel 51, the triprolls 45-45 engage the cams I5'I5, and move them from brokenline positions to full-line positions, and the links l2-I2 cause the shaft 41 to be rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, and the cams 8846 to be moved against stop pins 'I8-'I8 (Figs. 2 and 4), in which positions the extremities thereof, project below the tracks I2I2 into the path of subsequent trip rolls 4545.

When the rod 41 is so rotated, the valve 52 is reversed, whereby compressed air is supplied by the pipe 65 to the upper portion of the cylinder BI and is exhausted by the pipe 68 from the lower portion of the cylinder SI. The piston 63 and the carriage 66 of the hoist 62 then are lowered and the reel 8! having the hook 38 projecting through the core hole 78 thereof is retained on the hook 38. As the piston 63 and the carriage 8'6 are lowered, guide shoes IS-J5 secured to the carriage 66 slide downwardly along guideways 'I'III and guide the carriage 66 to its lowermost position. When the cams 'I5'I5 are moved to their full-line positions, the overcenter counterweight 19 is moved to its full-line position, holds the cam 46-46 against the pins "I8'I8 and prevents accid'ental actuation of the valve 52.

' When the carriage B6 is in its lowermost position, the top of the stop bumper 69 is flush with the lower edge of an inclined ramp 80 (Figs. 5 and 6), and a keeper angle 83 secured to the guide shoes IS-18 engages a cross bar 8I secured to the ends of a pair of escapement levers 8282 mounted pivotally on brackets 8585 and rotates the levers 82-82 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 6, whereby pins 84-84 carrying a cross bar 8! and mounted in slide bearings, of which a bearing 86 is shown, are projected above the upper surface of the ramp against the actions of compression springs illustrated by a compression spring 98. Also, when the levers 82-82 are so rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 6, rods 9I9I (Fig. 5) carrying a cross-bar 95 are caused to recede from positions projecting above the upper surface of the ramp 88 to positions therebelow, whereby a reel 88 positioned on the ramp 82 is free to roll over the cross-bar 95 and Can shown in Fig. 6, to their broken-line positions, whereby the cross-bar 8'; is drawn beneath the upper surface of the ramp 88 to permit the reel 89 to roll down the ramp, and the cross-bar 95 is projected above the surface of the ramp 8!] to engage the reel 89 and hold it in a position designated B in the drawings. Then, as the hoist 62 is lowered, the keeper angle 83 engages the bar 8I and causes the cross-bar 95 to be withdrawn from the path of the reel 89 which rolls down the ramp 8!! onto the hoist 62. Another reel (not shown) may then be placed in the position designated A in the drawings for repeating the operation.

A detector 99 includes a mounting post I8I projecting. from a platform I98 of the loader II. The mounting post carries a mounting plate I82, which supports a normally open limit switch I05 thereon. An alarm I serves to close the limit switch I85 thereon. An arm I86 serves to close the limit switch I85 when it is moved from its full-line position to its broken-line position, shown in Fig. 2. A wiper shoe I81 is pivotally connected to the arm I88 and to an arm III), which is pivotally mounted on the plate I82. The arm I I0 is shorter than the arm I88, and supports a counterweight III. The counterweight maintains the Wiper shoe in its full-line position, as shown in Fig. 2, at which time the contacts of the limit switch I85 are open. The right end of wiper shoe, as viewed in Fig. 2, is directed slightly upwardly when the detector 99 is in its normal position, which is shown in full lines, but is directed slightly downwardly when the detector is in its actuated position, which is shown in broken lines. This is due to the fact that the arm IIG is shorter than the arm I86 so that the wiper shoe forms a modified pantograph linkage with the arms I86 and II8 and the mounting plate I82.

When one of the hook assemblies 28-28 carries a reel H4 as it approaches the hoist 82 and before the trip rolls 45-45 engage the L-shaped cams l=348, the reel I i4 engages the wiper shoe I81 and moves it from its full-line position to its broken-line position, whereby the contacts of the limit switch I85 are closed. The contacts of the limit switch are in series with a winding N5 of a solenoid I16, and, when they are closed, the winding of the solenoid is energized whereby an armature II? (Fig. 3) of the solenoid is raised. A rod I28 connected to the armature is raised with the armature against the action of a dashpot I2I.

The dashpot I2I includes a cylinder I88 slidably enclosing a piston I89 mounted on the lower end of the rod I28, as viewed in Fig. 3. The piston I89 has formed therein a bore I I2 and a counterbore iI3 extending upwardly from the bore H2. The counterbore forms a loose guide passage for a ball H3, which normally rests on a valve seat H9 at the lower end thereof. An adjustaole needle valve !23 is threaded into a tapped bore I24 formed in the head end of the cylinder I88. When the solenoid I I8 is actuated, it raises the rod I28 and the piston I89. As the piston IDS is raised in the cylinder I88, a partial vacuum is created in the portion of the cylinder 188 below the piston I89, which vacuum is relieved gradually by only the needle valve i23, because the ball H8 is pressed by gravity and the differential pressures of the air into contact with the valve seat I I9. The vacuum so produced retards the upward movement of the piston I88, the rod '128 and the armature i ll' so that the impact shocks and rebound of the armature and the rod I20 are prevented. When the solenoid winding H5 is deenergized and the armature is released, the weight (gravity) of the piston and rod increases the pressure of the air below the piston to above atmospheric pressure, and the air below the piston I89 pushes the ball H8 away from the valve seat I I9 and escapes into the upper portion of the cylinder I08 so that the return of the rod I28, the armature and the piston I68 are not materially impeded and can fall promptly.

An arm I22 projects into an elongated slot I25 formed in the rod I28 and is rigidly connected to a shaft I26. The shaft I26 rotatably mounted in bearings I2'I-I2l is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, when the winding I I5 of the solenoid I I 6 is actuated, at which time the arm I22 is rotated in a clockwise direction by the rod I28. When the shaft I26 is rotated, it closes the valve 56, which shuts oif the supply of compressed air to the valve 52 (Fig. 4) and therefore to the hoist 62. Thus, when the trip rolls 45-45 turn the cams 46-46 (Fig. 4) to actuate the valve 52, the hoist 62 cannot be raised. The hook assembly 28 carrying the reel 5 24 then is advanced to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2, until the reel II4 clears the shoe I81. The counterweight I II then causes the arms I56 and H and the shoe Iii-I to return to their full-line positions, whereby the contacts of the limit switch I55 are opened and the circuit to the winding I l of the solenoid H6 is broken so that the armature It! (Fig. 3) and the plunger I26 then drop by gravity. However, the arms I22 and H39 remain in their broken-line positions, as viewed in Fig. 2, due to the tightness of a valve stem I28 of the valve 56 in a housing I29 thereof, and the friction of the bearings I2'I-I2'I (Fig. 3) on the shaft I26 so that the valve 56 remains closed.

Thus, when the four-way valve 52 is actuated by the trip rolls 45-45 preceding the hook assembly 28, the hoist 62 is not actuated. The trip rolls 45-45 then strike successively the cams 46-45 and the cams 15-15. After the trip rolls 45-55 have struck the cams 15-15 and have returned them from their broken-line positions, as shown in Fig. 2, to their full-line positions, the trip rolls 45-45 strike cams I35-I39 and move the cams from their broken-line positions, as shown in Fig. 2, to their full-line positions, whereby the valve 56 (Fig. 3) is opened. However, by the time that the valve 56 is opened in this manner, the fourway valve 52 has been closed so that the hoist 62 (Fig. 2) is not raised.

The chain l5 carries the hook assemblies 28-28, which are spaced therealong, and also carries trip rolls 45-45 positioned a predetermined distance in advance of the hook assemblies. When one of the hook assemblies 28-28 having no reel thereon moves toward the loader II, the trip rolls 45-45 associated therewith actuate the four-way valve 52 and air is supplied to the cylinder 6I of the hoist 62 and a reel thereon is ele-- vated for loading on this hook assembly.

A lubricator, which is disclosed and claimed in D. C. Robson Patent No. 2,471,978, issued May 31, 1949, includes a tank I3I for containing a supply of oil. A bracket I31 pivotally mounts a pair of metallic arms, of which a metallic arm arms i39-I39 are slightly curved and normally hang in paths of the trip rolls 45-45. The upper portions of the arms 39-139 are curved about a relatively short radius, and normally engage I the inside of the tank, thereby limiting the down ward movement of the lower portions of the arms I39-I39. The upper end portions of the wicks are free and are positioned in the supply of oil in the tank, whereby the oil permeates all of the unimmersed portions of the wicks by capillary action. As the trip rolls 45-45 are advanced along the tracks I2-I2, the trip rolls are wiped by the wicks, whereby the trip rolls are coated with oil.

The hook assemblies 28-28 are advanced one at a time from the loader II past a turner I32 (Fig. '7). The construction of the hook assemblies and the turner is disclosed and claimed in V. A. Rayburn Patent 2,471,347, issued May 24, 1949. The turner I32 includes rack pins I35 and 136, which are rigidly mounted adjacent to the path of the hook assemblies by a base I38. The cam 36 of the hook assembly fastened to the shaft 32 meshes with a two-lobe cylindrical cam I45 formed on the lower end of the sleeve 3I. The cam 36 has formed thereon a pair of lobes, illustrated by a lobe I46, which fit into depressions l41-I4? formed in the two-lobe cylindrical cam I45. The cam I45 includes a pair of lobes I5 I-I5I which fit into depressions I52-I52 formed in the cam I45. The lobes illustrated by the lobe I46, the lobes I5I-I5I and the depressions I4'I-I47 and I52-I52 serve to index and lock the hook 38 in either a position in which it is pointed in the direction of travel of the chain I5 or a position in which it is pointed a direction thereof, opposite to that in which the chain I5 is advanced. When the hooks 30-38 leave the loader lI, they point in the direction in which they are being moved.

As each hook assembly 28 is advanced past the turner I32, a four-tooth pinion I55 formed on the sleeve 3! and having teeth E56, I57, I58 and I59 engages the rack pin I35 of the turner I32 and the pin I35 retards the advancement of the tooth I56 whereby the hook at and the sleeve 3| are rotated This causes the tooth I51 to project between the rack pins I35 and I36 and to engage the rack pin I36 as the hook assembly 28 is moved toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 8. The post I36 then retards the advancement of the tooth I51, whereby the sleeve 3I and the hook 38 are rotated 90 further in a clockwise direction. The hook 36 then is oriented to a position pointing in a direction opposite to that in which it is being advanced so that a reel I 68 positioned thereon may be stripped from the hook without interference thereby merely by retarding the advancement of the reel I66 relative to the hook. The lobes, illustrated by the lobe I46 (Fig. '7), the lobes I5I-I5I and the depressions I4'I-I4I and I52-I52, serve to prevent accidental turning of the hook after it has been rotated to the position in which it faces in a direction opposite to that direction in which it is advanced.

After the hooks 38-30 have been turned by the turner I32 (Fig. 1) so that they point in directions opposite to those in which they are advanced by the conveyer chain I5, the hook assemblies are advanced one at a time past the unloader 28 and the trip rolls 45-45 engage cams of which a cam I66 is shown and move these cams from their full-line positions, as shown in Fig. 9, to their broken-line positions. The cams I66-I66 are rigidly fastened to a shaft I153 mounted on a bracket Ill and serve to rotate the shaft I76 in counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9, when they are moved 7 from'the'ir full-line positions to their broken line positions, whereby an arm I12 rigidly mounted on the shaft I is moved from its fullline position to its broken-line position.

When the arm 1'52 is rotated from its full-line position to its broken-line position, it moves a link I15 connected thereto downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 9, so that an arm ITS is rotated in a clockwise direction. The arm I16 is connected rigidly to a driving clutch member Ill (Figs. 9 and 11) rotatably mounted on a shaft ISI. The driving clutch member normally engages a driven clutch member I86 (Fig. 11) splined to the shaft ESL and if engaged therewith, rotates the driven clutch member and the shaft in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9, when the driving clutch member ill is rotated. The shaft IZi serves to rotate arms ISL-I22 (Figs. 9 and 11), which raise a table I85, which is pivotally connected thereto and to arms, of which an arm I86 (Fig. 10) is shown, connected to a bracket 87. The arms ESE-A85 are rotated from their positions shown in Fig. 9 to their positions shown in Fig. 10 when the arms I82'--I82 are rotated by the shaft [8% from their positions shown in Fig. 9 to their positions' shown in. Fig. 19, whereby the table I85 is raised. The arms I82!82 are the same length as and are parallel with the arms I36-I 86 so that they form a pantograph linkage with the table I85 and support the table I85 in a horizontal position regardless of the positions of the arms I82-i82 and ISS-IBB.

As the table 585 is raised, it raises a concave receiving platform 59!, (Fig. 11) from its fullline position shown in Fig. 11 to its broken-line position. The receiving platform E96 is pivotally secured to the table 85 and. is tilted by a stop I65 downwardly toward the right when the table I95 is in its full-line position. However, as the table H5 is raised from its full-line position to its broken-line position, a leg I92 depending from the under side of the platform I90 engages the table, whereby the platform we is held in a horizontal position.

When the table I55 is moved from the fullline position shown in Fig. 11, to its broken-line position. the receiving platform I99 engages, lifts and holds the reel I65 from the hook 39. A stop :9! positioned on the platform I90 serves to retard the advancement of reel I65, and as the hook assembly 28 continuesto move to the right, as viewed in Fig. 10, the reel l65 is stripped fromthe hook 38. After the hook has been withdrawn from the reel I65, the trip roll 55 (Fig. 9) is advanced out oi engagement with an elongated dwell portion I6? of the cam I66, and the weight of the reel together with the weight of the cam H55 forces the platform E95 and the table I85 to their full-line positions shown in Fig. 11.

As the table -85 the platfo m. ltd are lowered from their broken-line pos .ons shown in Fig. 11 to their full-line positions, the left side of the platform engages the stop I95 and the platform 98 tilts downwardly and to the right. The reel I65 then rolls from the receiving platform i90 onto a ramp I33 and engages a cam portion ii? (Figs. 9 and 12) of a rider 206 and raises the cam portion Iii'i. The rider 206 is pivoted freely on a rod 265 secured to levers Mil-26!, which are mounted pivotally on a rod 296. A cam portion 202 of the rider 260 rests on a reel 266 previously unloaded onto the ramp I96, which is filled by the arrival of the. reel I65 thereon. Thus, when the reel I65 engages the cam portion I9! of the rider200, the rider is raised from its position shown in Fig. 11 to its position shown in Fig 12, where by the rod 205 is raised and raises a link 20? connected thereto. When the link 20'! is raised, it pivots an arm 2I6 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 12, whereby a shaft 21 I and a yoke 2 I2 connected to the driven clutch member I60 are rotated in a counterclockwise direction. When the yoke 2I2 is so rotated, it moves the driven clutch member I out of en gagement with the driving clutch member I11. Consequently, when the chute I95 is filled and a hook assembly following the hook assembly just unloaded approaches the unloader 20, the receiving platform I will not be raised when the cams I66I66 (Fig. 9) are actuated by trip rolls associated with that hook assembly, and reels carried thereby will not be stripped therefrom. Hence, overloading of the ramp I96 is prevented.

If the portion of the ramp I96 occupied by the reel 208 had been vacant when the reel 165 was discharged onto the ramp $96, the rider 200 would merely rock on the rod 265 because a recess 269 of the rider would provide clearance for the reel 65 so that the rider as a whole would not be raised and would not raise the rod 205 when engaged by the reel I65 rolling down the ramp I96. Thus, the driven clutch member I89 normally remains in engagement with the driving clutch member Ill until the ramp I96 is filled. The rider 200 and the elements associated therewith do not impede the movement of the reels on the ramp I96 but prevent the operation of the unloader 20 when the ramp I96 is filled.

A pair of L-shaped escapement levers 2I3-2 I6 (Figs. 1 and 11) are rotatably mounted on posts 2Il-2 I! projecting from curbs. of the ramp I96, and cam portions 2I5-2 I5 of the levers 2I6-2 I6 are urged inwardly over the ramp toward each other by torsion springs 2I82I3 mounted on the posts 2II2I'!. A reel 220 engaging a stop ZIQ (Fig. ll) positioned at the bottom of. the chute I engages the cam portions 2l52I5 of the levers 2I62 I6 and thrusts them outwardly away from each other, whereby curved pins 22 I- 22I extending inwardly from the upper ends of the levers 2I6-2l6 are maintained in the path of a reel 222 and keep the reel 222 out of contact with the reel 22%. A pair of esoapement levers 225-225 (Fig. l), which are identical with the levers 2 I6-2 I6, are held in positions in which they stop another reel (not shown) in a position just above the reel 222, and a reel 226 and the reel 268 are similarly held by levers illustrated by levers 228 and 229, respectively. Thus, all of the reels positioned on the ramp 96 are held from contact with each other.

When an operator of the machine 25 lifts the reel 220 from the chute 196, the torsion springs 21% 2I8 mounted on the pins 2I!-2I1 (Fig. 1) and the force exerted by the reel 222 on the curved pins 22I-22I thrusts the pins 22 !22I apart, and the reel 222 then rolls down the ramp I96 to the position in which the reel 226 is shown. The other reels then move down the ramp one at a time in a similar fashion but are kept out of contact with each other by the levers 2| G2I6 and the pins 22I-22I and the levers and pins identical therewith. When the reel 165 moves to the position in which the reel 268 is shown, the cam portion I91 (Figs. 9 and 12) of the rider 200 is freed and the driven clutch :9 member 180 moves back into operative engagement with the driving clutch member I11. Thus, when the next book assembly is advanced over the receiving platform I90, the platform is raised and unloads a reel therefrom.

As described hereinabove, when the ramp I96 is filled, the receiving platform I90 cannot be raised by trip rolls 85-35 associated with hook assemblies 28-28 advanced therepast as the trip rolls are moved into engagement with the cams I66-I66, and the reels carried by the hook assemblies will not be discharged onto the ramp I96. The reels on the hook assemblies, after the ramp I96 is filled, are unloaded by the unloader 2I onto a ramp 230 if the ramp 230 is not filled. If both the ramps I90 and 230 are filled, reels carried therepast by the hook assemblies are discharged by the unloader 22 into a ramp 23I provided the ramp 23I is not filled. If all the ramps I 96, 233 and 23I are filled, the reels will be'carried by the hooks until a reel in one of the ramps is taken therefrom to render perative the unloader associated therewith.

If it is necessam to withdraw the unloader 23 from the operation of the conveyer system described hereinabove, the table I85 and the levers I82-I82 and I86-I85 are swung through slightly less than 180 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9, to a position in which the table rests on the ears I81-I81. This rotates a tooth 240 (Fig. 11) on the driven clutch member I80 almost 180 out of mesh with a tooth 2M on the driving clutch member I11. The tooth 240 is the only tooth on the clutch member I80, and the tooth 2 is the only tooth on the clutch member I11 and because of this and the fact that the rotation of the driving clutch member I11 is much less than 180 when the cams I66-I66 are rotated by the trip rolls 45-45, the tooth 2 does not engage the tooth 240 when the cams I36-! 63 are engaged by the trip rolls so that no rotation of the driven clutch member I80 is caused. Hence, nounloading by the unloader 20 occurs. The unloaders 2| and 22 may be rendered inoperative me similar manner if it is so desired. A turner 221 (Fig. l) positioned in advance of the unloader 22 is identical with the turner I32; and serves to turn through 180 the hooks 30-30 as the hooks are advanced therepast so that the hooks point in the direction in which they are advanced as they approach the loader II.

Operation In the operation of the conveyer described hereinabove, the hookassemblies 28-28 are ad vanced over the loader 1|.WhiCh serves to load reels on the hooks 30-39 thereof which are empty, but does not affect hooks already carrying reels therepast. The hooks are then turned 180 by the turner I32 and are advanced toward the unloader 20. i

If the unloader 20 is not filled with reels, the receiving platform I90 strips the reels from the hooks 30-30 carrying them and deposits them on the ramp I96. This continues until the ramp I96 is filled with reels, at which time the receiving platform I90 will not be actuated as a hook is advanced thereover. The ramps 230 and 23I are filled successively with reels, whereby the unloaders 2I and 22 do not discharge reels thereon, and, after all of the hooks carried by the chain I are filled with reels by the loader I I, the loader does not raise any more reels in the path thereof, until areel is taken from one of the ramps I95,

230 and: 23Iso' that'an emptied hook approaches the loader II. if

The conveyer serves to maintain the ramps I36, 230 and 23I full of reels so that the machines 23, 26 and 21 need not be stopped for lack of reels. Any collision between a reel and another reel or a portion of the conveyer is prevented while the reels are handled by the conveyer. Furthermore, the conveyer serves to convey reels from the loading ramp (Fig. l) to the unloading ramps without attention by an operator thereof.

Alternative embodiment (Figs. 14 and 15) An alternative embodiment of the invention for conveying box-like articles shown in Figs. 14 and 15 is similar to the first-described embodiment of the invention except that forked hooks 330-330 replace the hooks illustrated by the hooks 33-30 and a loading chute 380 of a loader 3II, a carriage 355 of the loader 3| I, receiving platforms, of which a receiving platform 390 is shown, storage chutes, of which a storage chute 396 is shown, and riders, of which a rider 330 is shown, are substituted for the loading ramp 80 of the loader II, the carriage 65 of the loader II, the receiving platforms I90-I90, the storage ramps I96, 230 and 23!, and the riders 200-200,

, respectively.

Bottom tines 33I-33I of the forked hooks 330-338 are spaced widely apart and enter between bed rolls 338-338, a stop roll 369 and a stop 310 of the carriage 363 when the carriage 366 raises a box-like article 301 into the path of the forked hook, and the forked hook is advanced over the carriage 333 with the tines 33I-33I pointing in the direction they are advanced, that is, pointing toward an observer viewing Fig. 14. The bed rolls 358-368 support the article 361 above the tines 33I-33I as the forked hook is advanced over the carriage 36S, and the stop roll 369 and the stop 31!! maintain the article centered relative to the forked hook. After the tines 33I-33I are in positions directly below the article 361, the carriage 366 is lowered and the article 351 is left on the forked hook 330, which is advanced along the path of the conveyer. Another box-like article (not shown) may then be loaded on the carriage 366 from a loading ramp 380.

A box-like article 31I (Fig. 15) is shown as it is about to be unloaded by an unloader 320 from one of the forked hooks 333-330 as the forked hook is advanced past the unloader 320. As the forked'hook is advanced over the receiving platform 390' of the unloader 320, a table 385, to which the right side, as viewed in Fig. 15, of the receiving platform 393 is pivotally secured, is raised by means (not shown) identical with the means described hereinabove for-raising the table I (Fig. 11-). As the table 385 (Fig.15) is raised, it raises a brake shoe 386 having grooves 381-381, which receive rolls 388-388 in close fitting engagement therewith. Coverings 389-389 of the rolls 338-388 are composed of a rubber compound or other material having a relatively high coefficient of friction so that the rolls 388-383 are prevented from rolling by friction between the brake shoe and the coverings of the rolls. The receiving platform 390 is raised farther and the rolls 388-388 enter between and lift the article 31I from the tines 33I-33I, which are advanced out from under the article. At this time, the coverings 389-389 of the rolls prevent the article 11 from moving relative to the rolls because of the friction therebetween.

After the forked hook 331! is advanced beyond the receiving platform 33%, the table 385, the brake shoe 388, the receiving platform 39 and the article 3H lower by gravity. The left end, as viewed in Fig. 15, of the receiving platform 39D strikes a stop 395, and as the table 385, the brake shoe 386 and the right end of the receiving platform 3% continue to descend, the receiving platform tilts downwardly to the right and the brake shoe moves out of engagement with the rolls 388388. The rolls 388-3S8 then are free to rotate and the box-like article rolls oif of the receiving platform onto and down the storage chute 395.

ihe rider Bil having lobes 355 and 492 positioned in the path of the box-like articles is raised when the chute 395 is filled so that two articles engage the lobes 391 and 402. When this occurs, the rider 390 renders the unloader 320 inoperative by means (not shown) identical with those by which the rider 239 (Fig. 11) renders the unloader inoperative. However, a recess 409 provides clearance for articles moving down the chute so that th rider 380 only rocks when the chute 398 is not filled.

Operation of alternative embodiment In the operation of the last-described conveyer, the loader 3H loads box-like articles illustrated by the articles 353's and S'ii on the forked hooks 33l331l and the forked hooks are advanced past the loader with the tines 33 i33l thereof pointed in the direction of travel. U-shaped guard rails 309-95 of the forked hooks aid in holding the articles against side-wise movement on the forked hooks. Before the forked hooks reach the unloader 323, they are turned to positions in which the tines thereof point opposite to the direction of travel. Ihe receiving platform 39!! takes one at a time the articles from the forked hooks and deposits the articles on the chute 396. Before the unloaded forked hooks reach the leader 3!! again, each is turned so that it points in the direction of travel to be in position to pick up another article.

The above-described conveyers effectively load, convey, unload and store articles of different types entirely automatically and without fouling of the articles or elements thereof. The articles are handled gently but positively and surely throughout their handling by the conveyers.

What claimed is:

l. A conveyer, which comprises an endless conveyer element, an elevated track for guiding the conveyer element along a predetermined path, an article-engaging element carried by the conveyor element, means for advancing the conveyer element along the track, an elevator positioned adjacent to the track for positioning an article in the of the article-engaging means, a trip roll carried by the conveyer element a predetermined distance in advance of the article-engaging element, means for controlling the operation of the elevator, an L-shaped cam normally in the path of the trip roll for actuating the elevatorcontrclling means when struck by the trip roll to cause the elevator to move an article into the path of the article-engaging means, said L-shaped cam having a dwell portion which is engaged by the trip roll until the article is engaged by the articleengaging means, a second cam, and a link for connecting the first cam and the second cam for movement together, said second cam being movable into the path of the trip roll when the trip roll strikes the first cam and serving to move the first cam into the path of the trip roll when the second. cam is struck by the trip roll, said second cam being spaced predetermined distance in advance of the first cam.

2. In a conveyer, an article-supporting means, means for advancing the article-supporting means along a predetermined path, an elevator for raising an article into the path of the articlesupporting means to load an article on the articlesupporting means, pneumatic means for raising and lowering the elevator, a supply line for supplying the pneumatic means With air under pressure, a four-way valve positioned in the supply line for controlling the pneumatic means, an arm for controlling the four-way valve, means carried by the advancing means for striking the arm to actuate the four-way valve to raise the elevator when the article-supporting means approaches the elevator, a second arm for actuating the four-way valve to lower the elevator, said striking means serving to strike the second arm after the article-supporting means has been advanced past the elevator to actuate the four-way valve to lower the elevator, a second valve positioned in the supply line in series with the four-way valve, and means for closing the second-mentioned valve prior to the time the striking means strikes the first-mentioned arm if the article-supporting means carries an article as it approaches the loading means.

3. In a conveyer, a hook, means for carrying the hook along a predetermined path, means positioned adjacent to said path for positioning a reel in the path of the hook as the hook is advanced theretoward, means for pointing the hook in the direction it is advanced as it is advanced toward the positioning means, pneumatic means for driving the positioning means, means carried by the carrying means for actuating the pneumatic means to cause the positioning means to position a reel in said path when the hook is advanced theretoward, a valve for preventing the operation of the pneumatic means when closed, a solenoid for closing the valve when energized, a switch for controlling the energization of the solenoid, a counterweighted shoe positioned adjacent to the positioning means for closing the switch to cause the energization of the solenoid when engaged by a reel carried by the hook as it is advanced toward the positioning means, whereby the positioning means is not driven when the hook carries a reel as it is advanced toward the positioning means, and means operable by the pneumatic-means-actuating means for opening the valve after a reel is carried by the hook beyond the positioning means.

4. A conveyor, which comprises means for carrying articles along a predetermined path, means for loading articles on the article-carrying means positioned at a predetermined point along said path, fluid-pressure means including a supply line for operating the article-loading means, a valve in the supply line, a solenoid including an armature, means operable by an article on the article-carrying means for energizing the solenoid, a striker carried with the article along a predetermined path, said armature having an elongated slot extending longitudinally therein, and a cam having a lobe normally resting in one end of the slot for closing the valve when the solenoid is energized. said cam also having a lobe operable by the striker and movable into the path of the striker and so positioned that the striker aotuates it only after the article has been moved past the loader, said slot in the armature providing clearance for the cam when the solenoid is deenergized so that the valve is not opened when the solenoid is deenergized and the cam lobe operable by the striker is in the path thereof.

5. In a conveyer, a track, an endless chain, means for advancing the chain along the track, an article-carrying element carried by the chain, a valve including a rotary valve stem, a vertically disposed solenoid including an armature, a vertically disposed cylinder positioned below and in alignment with the solenoid, a piston mounted in the cylinder, a piston rod having an elongated slot formed therein for connecting the armature to the piston, an arm projecting into the elongated slot in the piston rod for connecting the piston rod to the valve stem, means for energizing the solenoid, whereby the piston rod and the piston are drawn upwardly and the piston rod moves the armature to turn the valve stem, the armature, the piston rod and the piston dropping when the solenoid is deenergized, the slot in the piston rod providing clearance for the arm when the piston rod drops, an adjustable needle valve positioned in the lower end of the cylinder for permitting air to enter the lower end of the cylinder, trap means for preventing passage of air past the piston when the piston is moved upwardly and for permitting passage of air past the piston when the piston is moved downwardly, tripping means carried by the endless chain, and a cam connected with the valve stem and the arm and movable into the path of the tripping means when the solenoid moves the arm, said tripping means serving to move the cam to turn the valve stem and move the arm against the bottom of the slot.

6. In a conveyor, means for conveying articles along a predetermined path, a loader positioned adjacent to a point in said path for positioning an article on the conveying means, means including a normally open switch for preventing the operation of the loader when the switch is closed, a shoe, a pair of arms pivotally attached to the shoe for closing the switch, means for pivotally mounting the arms in positions in which the shoe is in the edge of the path of an article carried by the article-conveying means as the article approaches the loader, said shoe being movable out of the path of the last-mentioned article when pushed thereby, whereby the arms close the switch, one of said arms being longer than the other so that the shoe is tilted in one direction when not engaged by the last-mentioned article but is tilted in another direction as that article moves out of engagement with the shoe.

7. In a conveyor, a hook, means for advancing the hook along a predetermined path with the hook pointed in the direction of its travel, a loader positioned adjacent to a point in the path of the hook for positioning a reel in the path of the hook that the hook engages the reel as it advances past the loader, means including a normally open switch for preventing the operation of the loader when the switch is closed, a shoe, a pair of arms pivotally attached to the shoe for closing the switch, and means for pivotally mounting the arms in positions in which the shoe is at the edge of the path of a reel carried by the hook as it approaches the loader, said shoe being movable out of the path of the 1ast-mentioned reel when pushed thereby, whereby the arms close the switch, one of said arms being longer than the other so that the shoe is tilted upwardly when not engaged by the last-mentioned reel but is tilted downwardly as that reel moves out of engagement with the shoe.

VINCENT A. RAYBURN. DUER C. ROBSON.

CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 989,543 Geissinger A r. 11, 1911 1,382,412 Campbell June 21, 1921 1,930,607 Brown Oct. 17, 1933 1,951,400 Dvorak Mar. 20, 1934 2,012,397 Mattler Aug. 27, 1935 2,298,704 Knox Oct. 13, 1942 

